Standing Bear Park & Museum

Standing Bear Park honors Chief Standing Bear of the Ponca Tribe, Ponca City's first civil rights leader. Standing Bear's 1879 federal court case in Omaha was the first to establish that Native Americans were legally persons under U.S. law — a landmark ruling that came from his own words: "That hand is not the color of yours, but if I prick it, the blood will flow." The park features a 22-foot bronze statue of Standing Bear, dedicated in 1996, and an education center with exhibits honoring the seven area tribes — Ponca, Otoe-Missouria, Pawnee, Tonkawa, Kaw, Osage, and the Native nations of Oklahoma. The grounds host the annual Standing Bear Powwow each September, drawing dancers and visitors from across the country. This is required viewing for anyone who wants to understand the region — and one of the most powerful places to visit in Ponca City. Free, open daily, plan an hour.